DCNS, Airbus Defense and Space to Develop Tantan Ship-Based UAS

Airbus Defense and Space and DCNS have signed a cooperation agreement to develop a ship-based helicopter UAS capability. This technological partnership will help to speed up the market release of the TANAN vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tactical helicopter UAS, as it takes into account the naval sector’s requirements and the aircraft’s efficient integration onto all types of armed vessels from the outset.

The partnership will enable the TANAN UAS to be integrated into the ship’s combat system. This includes the definition of its mission system and the improvement of situational assessment thanks to the data received from the various sensors on board TANAN. The work encompasses the physical integration of TANAN onto the ship, including the positioning and compatibility of the antenna system, the landing deck, the harpoon and grid, the docking and securing of the UAS in the hangar, as well as the related support.

Airbus Defense and Space will produce the entire certified unmanned aerial system, the vehicle with its payloads, the datalink and the UAS control station.

DCNS will carry out the integration of the UAS on the ship and into its combat system, from the definition of the required functions and the interfaces with the combat system, to the production of corresponding UAS modules that will enable operations to be controlled via the ship’s command, to the on-board installation and implementation procedures.